15-year test offers variances between EPS and XPS

February 1, 2009  |  Features

ACH Foam Technologies announced in December the completion of a 15-year test to determine water absorption characteristics of EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene). The test revealed variances between the two materials in their resistance to water absorption. The test of below-gr…
Read More
New ASTM standard for EPDM sheet material

February 1, 2009  |  News

A new ASTM standard developed by ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics fills a need for an internationally recognized standard to ensure that EPDM sheet material received by customers is consistent regardless of the manufacturer. The new standard, D7465, Specification for Ethylene Propyl…
Read More
SE Chapter/IECA holds training days

February 1, 2009  |  News

The International Erosion Control Association’s Southeast Chapter held its first South Carolina Training and Field Days last fall. Nearly 200 attendees took part during the 2-day event in Anderson, S.C. Day 1 included classroom training and exhibits focussing on stormwater and erosion-control …
Read More
Reinforced roads needed at wind farm

February 1, 2009  |  News

A massive wind farm project just south of Glasgow, Scotland, eventually will have 140 2.3-megawatt turbines in operation. But before the turbines could be erected, construction roads over peaty soils had to be built. “We lay a geotextile mat and geogrid reinforcements across the peat before cr…
Read More
Seaman Corp. invests $7 million in Tennessee plant

February 1, 2009  |  News

Seaman Corp., based in Wooster, Ohio, has made a $7 million commitment for improvements at its Bristol, Tenn., manufacturing plant. About $4 million is designated for the design and installation of a state-of-the-art coating line for primer application, according to the company. The balance of aroun…
Read More
Geosynthetics cited for best technical articles

February 1, 2009  |  News

Geosynthetics magazine received both the Gold and Silver medals for Best Technical Article at the Excellence Awards presented in Minneapolis by the Minnesota Magazine and Publications Association (MMPA). “Using geosynthetics to rehabilitate Fisher Cañon Dam and Reservoir” was judged the…
Read More
Still further comment about the impact of water

February 1, 2009  |  News

I read with interest the exchange between Gordon Stevens with Maccaferri and Michael Adams with FHWA in your August/September “Letters to the editor” section about the use of woven geotextiles for soil reinforcement in MSE structures. While the geosynthetics industry has a great deal of …
Read More
Geosynthetics: A key toward sustainability

February 1, 2009  |  News

By Robert Koerner Papers from two 2008 conferences prompted our thoughts vis-à-vis the important role that geosynthetics can, and should, play toward sustainability. The first conference was the 4th European Geosynthetics Conference (EuroGeo4) held in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 7-10. The pape…
Read More
Geogrid in action — retaining leaves for flower bed insulation?

February 1, 2009  |  Case Studies

By Robert Koerner Jonathan Rabe is a landscape gardener with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s River District. When he and coworker, Rochelle Rau, were preparing to protect a dozen tulip beds from the forces of an oncoming Minnesota winter last fall, they hit upon a new application…
Read More
Geomembrane and nonwoven textile help build eco-friendly Monterey House

February 1, 2009  |  Case Studies

By Ron Bygness and Bill Wilson Introduction The Monterey Bay Idea House (Monterey House), the latest in the line of select West Coast homes built by Sunset magazine to showcase new and innovative products, presents a multitude of eco-friendly features in response to the need for energy efficiency, f…
Read More